Madison, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Madison, Illinois had a total population of 2,900, the 434th largest city in Illinois, with a median household income of $49,326, which is 41% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 26.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 41% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (26.4%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Only 9.1% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.2x.
- Unemployment rate of 16.0% is notably above the national average.
Madison Quick Facts
How Madison Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,788 | 2,900 | +4.0% |
| Median household income | $44,181 | $49,326 | +11.6% |
| Median home value | $51,200 | $58,900 | +15.0% |
How Madison Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 61 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Madison Rankings in Illinois
Explore Illinois Rankings
Other Cities in Madison County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Granite City | 26,549 | $59,205 | 14.8% | $104,300 |
| Edwardsville | 26,474 | $86,721 | 11.6% | $299,800 |
| Alton | 25,279 | $54,568 | 21.0% | $103,700 |
| Collinsville | 24,031 | $67,612 | 12.0% | $163,600 |
| Godfrey | 17,712 | $94,543 | 6.4% | $192,200 |
| Glen Carbon | 13,977 | $97,168 | 4.9% | $282,000 |
| Troy | 11,647 | $112,434 | 2.0% | $268,000 |
| Wood River | 10,279 | $62,703 | 13.9% | $108,100 |
| Highland | 10,262 | $82,551 | 6.0% | $202,900 |
| Bethalto | 9,239 | $64,775 | 12.3% | $168,900 |
Cities Similar to Madison
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Savanna | 2,816 | $48,036 | $72,400 | 14.6% | 18.6% |
| Dixmoor | 2,948 | $44,600 | $84,400 | 8.1% | 23.6% |
| Galena | 2,931 | $58,689 | $233,200 | 36.3% | 6.4% |
| Mount Morris | 2,726 | $45,726 | $121,800 | 21.1% | 13.8% |
| South Jacksonville | 3,239 | $49,587 | $135,800 | 24.3% | 9.0% |
Population Overview
Madison is a small community located in Illinois, within Madison County. The total population is 2,900. It ranks as the 434th most populous out of 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois.
Age Demographics
The median age in Madison is 44.3 years. This is 14% higher than the state median of 39.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Madison is $49,326. This is 41% lower than the state median of $83,390. It is also 39% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 26.4%. This is 124% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.8%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 16.0%. This is 173% higher than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $58,900. Housing costs are 78% lower than the state median of $263,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.2x, Madison is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 50.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 25% lower than the state average of 67.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Madison is Black or African American, making up 49.0% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 30.0%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (49.0% vs 13.3%). The Hispanic or Latino population (6.7%) is well below the state average of 18.8%.
Education
9.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 76% lower than the state rate of 37.9%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 84.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Madison, Illinois is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Illinois state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Madison, Illinois?
Madison, Illinois has a population of 2,900 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Madison, IL?
The median household income in Madison is $49,326, which is 39% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Madison, IL?
The poverty rate in Madison is 26.4%. This means approximately 766 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Madison, Illinois?
Madison's population is 30.0% White, 49.0% Black, 6.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Madison, IL?
The median home value in Madison is $58,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.2x.
How educated is Madison, Illinois?
9.1% of adults (25+) in Madison hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.